PREP EXTRA / ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : Bad Snap Leads to Dana Hills Heartbreak

Dana Hills has experienced its share of defeats the last several seasons and second-year Coach Trace Deneke has experienced his share of frustrating moments.

And Friday night, during a 15-14 loss to host Laguna Hills, it added another chapter to the book of heartbreaks.

The Dolphins (1-4) played their best game of the year, according to Deneke. They led the Hawks (4-1) by 14 points midway through the third quarter. And they stopped a two-point conversion by Laguna Hills with 5:48 remaining.

But, with 3:28 left and leading by one, a bad snap over the head of Dana Hills’ punter/quarterback, John Morgan, landed in the end zone. Morgan grabbed the ball but was chased out of bounds by Jack Sortino for a two-point safety.

Laguna Hills then ran out the clock for its fourth consecutive victory.

“It’s the most frustrating in the short time I’ve been here,” Deneke said. “One day, when we put all three phases together, it’s going to be fun. I couldn’t be prouder.”

The Dolphins’ controlled much of the first three quarters of the game. Sophomore running back Julio Peraza shook off a nagging shoulder injury to rush for 85 yards in 15 carries. His nine-yard scoring reception in the second quarter capped a 15-play, 95-yard drive. And he slipped past several would-be tacklers during a 13-yard touchdown run in the third.

But the Hawks rallied right back with a 58-yard drive. Mike Jones (23 carries, 106 yards) scored from the one. And then in the fourth quarter, the Hawks drove 62 yards in 12 plays, with Jay Johnson catching a three-yard pass from Cory Pardoe that brought them to within one.